WOMEN REQUIRED FOR ARMY

Southland Times, Issue 24894, 6 November 1942, Page 4

WOMEN REQUIRED FOR ARMY

RECRUITING CAMPAIGN IN INVERCARGILL

A well-attended meeting for the purpose of encouraging women, between, the ages of 18 and 24 to join the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps was held last night in the U.F.S. hall. Major Jean Erwin, District Commandant ot the W.A.A.C. in the Southern Military District, stressed the urgent need for women for all branches of Army work. Mrs D. Mulvey presided because of the absence through illness of Mrs R. C. Abernethy, chairman of the W.W.S.A. Associated with Mrs Mulvey were the Mayor, Mr A. Wachner, LieutenantColonel H. C. Mackenzie, Major H. M. Hopper and members of the committee of the W.W.S.A. Mr Wachner expressed confidence that the women of Southland would uphold the standard set by the men and would not be behind the other women of New Zealand in their enlistnments. “There is an urgent need for women in all branches of work in. the Army, said Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie, m one branch alone 2000 W.A.A.Cs. are required. This is not the time to consider personal sacrifice. We aie upagainst a ruthless enemy and will not beat him until we all take a share. There is no real service without sacrifice. There is a comradeship in we ranks of the W.A.A.C. not found m other walks of life, and I hope that the women of Southland will soon all be m uniform.” STILL SOME APATHY ' Major Erwin said she felt there would be no need for a recruiting campa JS if the need for women in all benches of the Armv was understood. Althougn we were now in the f° u^ l ,. yeal r m° o war, people were still apathetic. J-he women of England had risen to the occasion. American women were terrying aircraft across the Atlantic ana Russian women were qualifying as fighter pilots. Were New Zealand women less eager to serve their country? The recruiting had been most disappointing. Perhaps women were waiting to see if conscription would be brought in, but voluntary enlistments were preferable. , Enlistments could be made through the W.W.S.A. or the Army Registration Office, continued Major Erwin. The South Island was quite famous for the attention that had been given to the comfort of W.A.A.Cs. Two women .occupied one hut, which was furnished with a wardrobe, dressing table, mats and chairs. Major Erwin gave a briet outline of the training undertaken by the girls, and explained that service was for the duration and one year alter. Two thousand women were needed to release 2000 men for other duties. Surely this was sufficient to encourage the women of New Zealand to enlist. Mrs Mulvey thanked Major Erwin for her address, and said that now that the women of Southland knew what was needed, she felt sure they would heed the call to duty. A number of girls m Army uniform were present, and after the .meeting they spent a busy, time assisting new recruits to sign their papers.